I’m going to the go to ask about HRT next week. Anyone got any ideas about what I should be asking for?

[H0LLOW]

I have had an incredibly stressful year with seriously ill child. If I’m honest I have no idea if that is the cause of my problems or if it’s hormones or if I need anti depressants. What I know is that I can’t cope and I have isolated myself from friends and shut myself away.
it’s up and down and I can feel okay for a couple of weeks and then it hits me again and I’m overwhelmed and stressed.
Someone said HRT might just make things easier to cope with.
Any help gratefully received

That sounds hard how old are you?

48, periods still regular but only last two days now. Used to be 5

so perimenopause probably , tell the GP how you are feeling and ask their opinion

Have you looked at the balance app? It has a list of possible symptoms of perimenopause which proved helpful when I went for HRT. The GP stopped me halfway through my list and said ‘you poor thing, let’s get you on eostrogen’. I hope you get the help you need.

Oh thank you. I will get the app now

I just went through the symptoms. I have none on the physical list. They are all on the psychological list. Does that mean more likely not peri?

My only symptom was anxiety and lack of sleep and i was straight on HRT

Same as @Carriemac horrific anxiety, 3am waking and brain fog. I’m now on oestrogen gel and life is much better.

Oh that’s really good to hear

Is the gel the one you rub on your thigh?

And it has helped?

Wanting to stay home was one of my symptoms.

I think you may be underestimating the impact of the last 12 months, which sound incredibly difficult. 💐 It takes time to come back from something like this. Stress plays havoc with your body. Regardless of what the Doctor recommends in terms of medication, definitely try your best to get some regular exercise, eat a nutritious diet and prioritise sleep. It will help whether it’s stress, menopause, depression or whatever. As the cliche says, be kind to yourself.

I started HRT at 47. It’s really helped. I had no psychological symptoms but horrendous night sweats, hot flushes and a complete inability to sleep (I’ve been a poor sleeper my whole life but this was on another level). It’s really helped with all those things, although I’ve gradually had to increase dosages. There were also symptoms I didn’t realise were menopause related which disappeared, such as really itchy skin and stiff joints. So I’m a huge advocate for HRT.

However, the one piece of advice I’d give you is that successful HRT is very personalised. So make sure you insist on seeing a GP who knows their stuff and do your own research so you can advocate for yourself. For example, you may be pushed into getting the mirena coil rather than taking progesterone tablets, which is a great solution for many people but I didn’t want that and there are plenty of alternatives.

Hope you feel better soon.

life transforming